We are nearing the halfway point of our internship, and have transitioned from the first round of projects onto the next. Here is a brief update on some of our main focuses this summer:

• Phototherapy dosing meter. I’ve written about this technology extensively already on this blog, and am happy to share that it is now completed. The device was tested using the standard of care in the States. The preliminary testing showed a 3.7% error for our device, but the new technology costs almost $2000 less than the standard. We’ve also completed extensive documentation on the new technology, to facilitate further testing and development. We will be taking the completed device to PAM and QECH soon, to get final feedback from professional engineers and nurses on the prototype.
• Suction pump attachment piece. This is the second design project we are pursuing as a team, and are currently between the brainstorming/planning phase and the prototyping phase. The idea for the project came from PAM (who fixes the broken devices from the hospital), and we look forward to involving them throughout the design process. The impetus for the creation of this new technology was the common malfunction of suction pump machines, in which the collection bottles overflow, backup into the machines, and cause permanent damage. Our device will ring an alarm when the collection bottles are ¾ full, and automatically shut the machine off when it reaches capacity. This prevents backflow into the machine, which is a cause for many dozens of suction pumps to be sent to PAM. We plan to have this prototype finished and tested within the next few weeks.
• Rice and Polytechnic website. Inspired by the relationship that developed between us interns, we decided to build a website to facilitate further interaction between Rice students and Poly students (that won’t require a 35 hour travel day). The website we are building allows for students from either university to give feedback on current design projects being worked on. Additionally, general questions that may have answers sourced from the alternate country can be posted to this website. Hopefully, both student understanding and technology design will benefit from this interaction.
• Orientation week. We’ve created a time table for the orientation week we are helping to plan, which will take place the first week of August for first year Poly biomedical engineering students. So far, the week is shaping up to be really fun. Currently, we are working on nailing down speakers for a few lectures, as well as creating our own content for some lectures the interns will put on. After that, we will focus on creating a week-long design project to introduce students to biomedical engineering. Planning for the orientation week will be ongoing throughout the rest of our internship.

There are a few other projects in the works—including preparation for a faculty design workshop in late July, and creating the engineering-focused activities for students at Jacaranda—which we look forward to focusing on in the coming weeks!